LINE 7 - NARRATIVE: A bomb explosion has killed two people on a beach in Russia's Black Sea resort Sochi.

Witnesses say a woman picked up a package which then blew up, killing her and a man with her. Four injured people were rushed to a local hospital.

LINE 8 - ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS: The blast happened shortly after 1000 local time (0600 GMT). A police spokeswoman was quoted as saying there would have been more causalities if it happened later, when the beach is more crowded.

Sochi is one of Russia's most popular beach resorts. It will also host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.